Batteries

[Bayla]

Should one always buy genuine batteries for cameras or will 'compatibles' do? I want to get a spare battery for my new Canon G9 and the genuine Canon ones are sooooo expensive, but I've seen others at a fraction of the price and wonder if they are as good?

Bayla

[Chuck S.]

Bayla, I buy 'generic' batteries from www.sterlingtek.com (http://www.sterlingtek.com). They have held up well. Use them in my G9 exclusively; the original Canon battery gave up the ghost. Most recent purchase: $27 delivered - for two!

[BruceM]

I have always purchased genuine batteries for my cameras over the years. I have never had any problems with these, and figure if it's not broke, don't fix it. Guess I'm old school, or a bit of a tradionalist, but I want the manufacturer of my camera to be the manufacturer of my battery. I have always purchased a spare right at the time of camera purchase.

I have no experience using 3rd party batteries with a camera, so am not qualified to speak on their reliability.

[TonyW]

Well for sure Canon don't make batteries - the trick is to separate the genuine equivalents from the inferior knock offs. In my (Nikon) case I consulted my friendly local camera store/Nikon dealer and he knew which were OK and which weren't - so I finished up with two for the price of one Nikon and I think they are better.

Tony

[Chuck S.]

I have always purchased genuine batteries for my cameras over the years. I have never had any problems with these, and figure if it's not broke, don't fix it. Guess I'm old school, or a bit of a tradionalist, but I want the manufacturer of my camera to be the manufacturer of my battery. I have always purchased a spare right at the time of camera purchase.

I took the same approach (Canon branded batteries) until the price difference became extreme - a factor of 4 to 1, sometimes more. Any battery will wear out over time as it's cycled over and over, so if I get a little less life out of a generic, the economics would still be compelling.

I worry just a little about the potential for camera damage, but the forums are full of personal endorsements for compatibles/generics. No horror stories so far....

[Chuck S.]

Well for sure Canon don't make batteries - the trick is to separate the genuine equivalents from the inferior knock offs. In my (Nikon) case I consulted my friendly local camera store/Nikon dealer and he knew which were OK and which weren't - so I finished up with two for the price of one Nikon and I think they are better.

Tony

Tony, I have a friend with a Nikon D300 who told me that the available generics didn't work in that camera (lacking a third contact point which controls some important camera functions). Haven't checked with him to see whether that situation was ever rectified.

Camera manufacturers certainly want that attractive aftermarket for high-margin accessories. Not quite so bad as the inkjet printer folks and their cartridges....

[Inspeqtor]

Bayla, I buy 'generic' batteries from www.sterlingtek.com (http://www.sterlingtek.com). They have held up well. Use them in my G9 exclusively; the original Canon battery gave up the ghost. Most recent purchase: $27 delivered - for two!

Chuck,

Thanks for that tip! When my current batteries go bad, I will give this place a try (provided I remember I saved the URL website!) :o

This website is about 60% of the cost of what I paid for my spare Canon battery that I got from Amazon.

[TonyW]

Tony, I have a friend with a Nikon D300 who told me that the available generics didn't work in that camera (lacking a third contact point which controls some important camera functions). Haven't checked with him to see whether that situation was ever rectified.

Camera manufacturers certainly want that attractive aftermarket for high-margin accessories. Not quite so bad as the inkjet printer folks and their cartridges....

Chuck: From what I read that extra contact point on a genuine Nikon battery supplies battery information to the camera that allows it to determine that it is a genuine battery and allows it to work. So you have to find a replacement that has figured out the code. This is getting just as bad as ink jet cartridges. Next thing we'll be seeing "genuine" memory cards at twice the price with little chips that identify them to the camera as being genuine and are the only ones that work.

The companies of course call it protecting the customer from potential camera damage from the use of inferior products. There is another explanation though as you point out ;)

Tony

[Codebreaker]

Bayla....

I've used the original Canon batteries and some no-namee-cheepee batteries and found no difference between them other than an enormous saving.

Take a look at www.7dayshop.com

Colin

[BruceM]

I took the same approach (Canon branded batteries) until the price difference became extreme - a factor of 4 to 1, sometimes more. Any battery will wear out over time as it's cycled over and over, so if I get a little less life out of a generic, the economics would still be compelling.

I worry just a little about the potential for camera damage, but the forums are full of personal endorsements for compatibles/generics. No horror stories so far....

Good points.

Does anyone find any difference in the length of use with generic batteries? ie: do they hold a charge as long as genuines?

[Codebreaker]

Bruce....

With so many different types to choose from and with most of them having no brand name its hard to sure they'll all be the same - but the ones I've used seem no different at all.

Colin

[elwoodsusanm]

When I bought my Cannon camera it came with a battery and at the same time I purchased one from Jessops. They both work equally well and are lasting the same amount of time.:)

[lowbone]

Another vote for Sterlingtek. I have been using them for about three years in Canon 20D,30D,40D,50D,G9. No problems. They are also higher capacity then Canon batteries and last longer between charges. some of my batteries are three years old-No problems.

[Derry]

been using other brand label batteries for many years and no issues yet,,

when I bought my Oly E3 it came with an Olympus battery and I soon purchased two non Olys,, I rotate them after every shoot and bring back to full charge as I have done on all my cameras,,

I have always bought the UNiROSS brand,,

Derry

[Bayla]

Thanks for all the answers. I had terrible problems with a genuine Canon battery in my camcorder so I think I'll try out a generic one.

Getting down to specifics, and maybe Chuck can answer this one as I know he has the Canon Powershot G9.....my G9 came with a NB-2LH battery....I've seen generics labelled NB-2L or NB-2L/NB-2LH.....are they the same?

Bayla

[Inspeqtor]

Not quite so bad as the inkjet printer folks and their cartridges....

Somehow I missed this statement. What are the inkjet printer folks doing?

[Boater]

Hi bayla,
just to compound the issue further i shoot with a 350 d
that came with a Canon NB2LH, i then bought the battery
grip & extra battery which is a Hahnel HL-2LHP. Both these
batteries have worked along side each other for 2 years now
with no problems of any kind.
Norm

[Chuck S.]

Thanks for all the answers. I had terrible problems with a genuine Canon battery in my camcorder so I think I'll try out a generic one.

Getting down to specifics, and maybe Chuck can answer this one as I know he has the Canon Powershot G9.....my G9 came with a NB-2LH battery....I've seen generics labelled NB-2L or NB-2L/NB-2LH.....are they the same?

Bayla

Bayla: I believe the NB-2LH is a higher capacity battery but still compatible with the G9. Higher capacity should translate into more photos per charge.

[Chuck S.]

Somehow I missed this statement. What are the inkjet printer folks doing?

They're making it more and more difficult to use generic cartridges or ink in their printers. Ink sales provide a steady flow of income to HP, Epson, and Canon.

[Edmund]

I have a Nikon and the grip (which holds one extra battery). I use one original Nikon 7.4V-1500mah battery and one Delkin 7.4V-1600mah. Every thing works fine and they are around two and one half years old.
Eddie

[westiemom]

Another vote for Sterlingtek. I've been using their batteries for several years and haven't had any problems. Their prices are great and the shipping is fast.

Anita

[Sepiana]

Should one always buy genuine batteries for cameras or will 'compatibles' do? I want to get a spare battery for my new Canon G9 and the genuine Canon ones are sooooo expensive, but I've seen others at a fraction of the price and wonder if they are as good?

Bayla

Hi everyone,

That's how this thread began. I have the same concerns as Bayla, as I'm one of those who go: Camera = Canon, then everything else should equal Canon as well.

Here's my recent experience with batteries.

When I got the XSi last Sunday, I also got a spare battery. I didn't realize until I got home I had bought not a genuine Canon Battery, but a Promaster one, at the price of $59.99. Due to my concerns, I went to the camera store website to check the price of a genuine Canon battery. I'm almost fainted -- $179.99. Then I went to amazon. Here (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-LP-E5-Battery-Digital-Camera/dp/B0015GADB4/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229203270&sr=1-16) they ask $44.95 for the Canon battery with free shipping (sold by Willoughby). This is even less expensive than the Promaster one.

What are your thoughts on this? Why such a range of prices? Do you know anything about this seller?

Thanks in advance!

[Inspeqtor]

Hi everyone,

That's how this thread began. I have the same concerns as Bayla, as I'm one of those who go: Camera = Canon, then everything else should equal Canon as well.

Here's my recent experience with batteries.

When I got the XSi last Sunday, I also got a spare battery. I didn't realize until I got home I had bought not a genuine Canon Battery, but a Promaster one, at the price of $59.99. Due to my concerns, I went to the camera store website to check the price of a genuine Canon battery. I'm almost fainted -- $179.99. Then I went to amazon. Here (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-LP-E5-Battery-Digital-Camera/dp/B0015GADB4/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229203270&sr=1-16) they ask $44.95 for the Canon battery with free shipping (sold by Willoughby). This is even less expensive than the Promaster one.

What are your thoughts on this? Why such a range of prices? Do you know anything about this seller?

Thanks in advance!

Sepiana,

I personally prefer to stick with genuine Canon batteries for my camera. The price you were quoted of $179.99 was an absolute ripoff! The price you found on Amazon is a great price! Chuck has another website he uses which I bookmarked somewhere, but I can't find it!
I would go with Amazon. They are very reputable.

[Sepiana]

Sepiana,

I personally prefer to stick with genuine Canon batteries for my camera. The price you were quoted of $179.99 was an absolute ripoff! The price you found on Amazon is a great price! Chuck has another website he uses which I bookmarked somewhere, but I can't find it!
I would go with Amazon. They are very reputable.

Hi Charles, thanks for the prompt response!

I agree with you in this matter. My DH was having a fit at the price the camera store wanted; but I think he'll calm down, when I show him the amazon's prices.

Is this the website (http://www.sterlingtek.com/index.html) you were thinking of? Chuck and others mentioned it.

BTW, I think the camera store I went to charges all these high prices to make up for accepting trade-ins and offering free seminars and free prints, etc. :rolleyes:

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

Yes, I think that is the website Chuck uses. I would not do ANY business with that camera store. They are way out of line on their pricing.

I had just remembered (my brain does not function like it used to:o)

I got an email last week from Canon concerning the use of counterfeit batteries:


Thank you for using Canon products.
It has been confirmed that counterfeit Canon lithium-ion batteries and chargers for Canon digital cameras and digital video camcorders are in circulation. In addition, it has been reported that counterfeit batteries have been considered the cause of some battery ruptures.
In many cases, counterfeit batteries and chargers are not equipped with protective devices required to meet international quality standards. Therefore, when these batteries or chargers are used or charged, they can cause abnormal heat or leakage, ignition, rupture and other malfunctions in the batteries, chargers, and digital cameras and video camcorders. There is concern that, in the worst case, not only could digital cameras and digital video camcorders be damaged, but fire, burns, blindness and other severe accidents could occur. Thus, to ensure customer safety, we urge our customers not to use counterfeit devices.
Please be advised that Canon is not responsible, and will not be liable, for any malfunctions, damages or injuries caused by non-Canon genuine lithium-ion batteries and/or battery chargers including, without limitation, counterfeit devices.
Recently, both in Japan and overseas, counterfeits of Canon's genuine lithium-ion battery packs and chargers have been frequently offered for sale on the Internet. Accordingly, please use caution when purchasing Canon lithium-ion battery packs and chargers on the Internet to ensure that they are genuine Canon brand.
Canon's genuine lithium-ion batteries have security labels on their packaging that identify them as genuine Canon products. When purchasing battery packs, please refer to this information. (See the following image for the labels.)


http://www.usa.canon.com/app/emails/images/counterfeitbattery.gif

For questions about "Counterfeit" products, please contact us at the following:

Call Center
1-800-828-4040 (toll free)
8:00 a.m. - Midnight, EST - Monday to Friday
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST - Saturday
Email: carecenter@cits.canon.com

Sincerely,

Canon U.S.A., Inc.

[Chuck S.]

Charles, that's scary. It tells me that if someone offers a genuine Canon battery at an unbelievably low price, it's likely that a counterfeit involved. Looks like to me that there are two options:

Maximum Safety: Purchase Canon OEM batteries from a reputable store or website.
Moderate Cost/Safety: Purchase generic batteries (not labeled as Canon!) from a store or website with a strong rating (such as Sterlingtek).
I can understand your selection of 1. I would likely be doing that if the price gap weren't so darned big. I'm taking a risk, rolling the dice that one of my generics doesn't fail catastrophically, taking the camera with it.

Here's one piece of advice (that I don't follow consistently but should): don't leave the batteries in the camera when it's stored. Most cameras seem to drain a little power continually, even when turned off. And wouldn't it be better to find a leak in a container other than your camera?

So much to worry about....:(

[Sepiana]

Charles, thanks for sharing this e-mail! That's REALLY scary! I hope that website selling the Canon batteries through amazon is a reputable one.

[Bayla]

I took Chuck's advice and bought generics (from the UK online store that Colin recommended) and so far so good. I bought a double pack, so on my recent trip I had one in the camera and two in the camera bag just in case. The difference in price is definitely worth the remote possibility that they won't last as long as genuine Canon batteries.

Bayla

[lionsleeps]

I have a battery question a bit different: My Nikon D50 batteries are exactly the same shape and size as my newer Nikon D80. The manufacturer says not to use the D50 battery in the D80. There's a field guide book for the D80 that I got, that says they are interchangeable.

Is it safe to use the D50 battery in my D80? Vice versa? What's different between them. I wrote Nikon, and they again said they were not interchangeable. (I can't help but wonder if that's to sell more batteries, or if there's a real difference--besides the color. D50s are grey. D80s are black. That's the only difference I can see.):confused:

[Inspeqtor]

Charles, thanks for sharing this e-mail! That's REALLY scary! I hope that website selling the Canon batteries through amazon is a reputable one.

Sepiana,

Last July I purchased a spare battery thru Amazon, the same battery you have a link for. Comparing the battery that came with my camera, and the battery I got from Amazon, they look 100% identical. Color of the case, the shape of the case, all the color of the printing, and what is printed are totally the same. Yes, Amazon sells 100% genuine Canon batteries. :)

EDIT: Last July I paid $51.00 + $8.50 S/H--- As you know Amazon is now charging $44.95

[Sepiana]

Charles, thanks so much! I'll go for it.:)

[Inspeqtor]

Charles, thanks so much! I'll go for it.:)

No Problem! You are most welcome :D

[Sepiana]

Hi everyone,

I thought you may like to learn this.

I contacted the camera store selling the genuine Canon battery for the XSi, inquired about the online price of $179.99, and pointed out that everywhere else this battery was selling for under $100. The explanation I got was -- probably a typo; the price is really around $90 (still high). Now I wonder how many people, not knowing better, paid that price. This should be a lesson -- always shop around and compare prices.

[Inspeqtor]

Sepiana,

I was going to send you a private message, but you do not have that turned on.

[on30trainman]

First post on this forum - just joined today.
I bought two spare batteries for my Panasonic FZ-18 from BestBatt. com for about $25 last March. They have gotten heavy use since and have performed as well as the original Panasonic. Very happy with the service BestBatt gave me. Would definitely purchase from them again.

Steve W.

[winclk]

welcome aboard Steve. i'm from the philly area also.:D

[Chuck S.]

Hi, Steve and Robin: Philadelphia born and raised myself! Go Iggles!! :)

[winclk]

i'm a dallas fan.

[Whiplash-GT]

what's recommended for AAs?
i have 4 Sb-800s (5 batteries per) and am looking for something with good lasting power + enough juice to recharge the flash STAT
i presently use 2500 mAh Energizers

would also like a couple of chargers that will handle more than 4 batteries at a time...i'm running out of wall sockets :D

thanx

[Chuck S.]

what's recommended for AAs?
i have 4 Sb-800s (5 batteries per) and am looking for something with good lasting power + enough juice to recharge the flash STAT
i presently use 2500 mAh Energizers

would also like a couple of chargers that will handle more than 4 batteries at a time...i'm running out of wall sockets :D

thanx

A lot of folks who post on forums swear by Sony Eneloops.

[Chuck S.]

i'm a dallas fan.

That's getting to be a frustrating experience, isn't it?

[on30trainman]

Born in Western PA - have lived in Philly area for 45 years - am and always will be a Steelers fan.
Have been an Elements user for at least a year, but just stumbled on this forum while doing a Google search on something related to one of my printers.

Steve W.

[Chuck S.]

Steve, maybe we'll have a Steelers-Eagles Super Bowl! Hope that Ben R. has recovered from the conk on the head he took in the last game.